Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro pushed back against Vice President Sara Duterte, asserting that true professionalism is demonstrated through action rather than words and accusing the Vice President of failing to meet that standard.
Responding via a video statement to Duterte’s call for her to uphold professionalism when speaking for the Office of the President, Castro argued that a true leader shows professionalism by remaining in the country during calamities, upholding the law, avoiding violence, and directly facing allegations with clear evidence instead of attacking the administration.
”Ang isang leader na professional ay nananatili sa bansa upang mamuno, lalong-lalo na sa oras ng kalamidad,” Castro said.
”Sumusunod sa batas at hindi gumagamit ng dahas. At humaharap sa mga akusasyon gamit ang malinaw na ebidensya, sa halip na pag-iwas o paninira sa administrasyon,” she added.
Castro added that a professional leader contributes to national progress rather than driving the government’s decline, stating that Duterte falls short when measured against these criteria.
”Kung susuriin ang mga pamantayang ito, malaki ang kakulangan ng bise presidente sa pagpapakita ng tunay na profesionalismo at pananagutan sa publiko,” Castro asserted.
Defending her role under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Castro explained that her duty is to address baseless allegations against the administration using facts and evidence.
”Sumasagot lamang tayo sa walang basehang akusasyon sa Pangulo at sa administrasyon na may bitbit na ebidensya,” she said.
Castro further criticized the Vice President’s response tactics when confronted with issues.
”Kapag hindi niya nasasagot ang aking mga nasasabi, magsisimula na siyang mamersonal at manira ng walang basehan. Hindi iyan professional,” Castro stated.
The exchange follows Castro’s earlier dismissal of Duterte’s claims—including allegations that the Marcos administration aided the International Criminal Court (ICC) in arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte—as “baseless” and “nonsense,” which originally prompted the Vice President’s calls for caution and professionalism.